DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i05.058

Pages: 2178-2179

Gastrointestinal infections are very common in patients with HIV infection or AIDS. Diarrhea is a common clinical presentation of these infections. The etiologic spectrum of enteric pathogens causing diarrhea includes bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses. The presence of opportunistic parasites Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Isospora belli and Microsporidia are documented in patients with AIDS. Cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent hosts is usually mild, self-limiting and recovers within a few weeks. In contrast, the infection may have a sever, chronic and even fatal clinical course in immunocompromised individuals. 1) Observation of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in HIV/AIDS patients presenting with Diarrhea. 2) Its correlation with CD4 T-Cell Count. This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, R.N.T. Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Total 50 stool and blood samples from HIV positive patients were processed. Stool samples were processed for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum by modified acid fast stain technique and blood samples for CD4 T-Cell counts. Out of 50 stool samples of HIV positive patients 30 (60%) were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum. Blood samples from these patients tested for CD4 T-Cells, showing that Cryptosporidium parvum infection occurred in patients with CD4 T-Cells counts range 14- 484/μl and median CD4 T-Cell counts was 269/μl. Out of 30 positive samples 18 (60%) were males and 12(40%) were females. The present study highlights the importance of testing for intestinal parasites in patients who are HIV positive and emphasizes the necessity of increasing awareness among clinicians regarding the occurrence of theses parasites in this population.